tegemu

I have a magic word that in times like these, does wonders in comforting me. The word is:

EGBOK

Everything Gonna Be OK!!!

May God be with you Eric.

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People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell

AnimalKracker

As stated early on. I'm not only a supporter of Eric's work. I also believe in the man.

firefighter4884

Eric,

Although I've never had the pleasure of seeing or using any of your leather work, I do know that you have contributed to this on a regular basis, and have always been willing to answer questions.

I'm sorry to hear about your recent hard ships, and rest assured that you're in my prayers!

--Jim

__________________
Firefighter / EMT - Always Ready. Ever Willing.

~Never do anything that you don't want to have to explain to the paramedics...~

QKShooter

So I expect that we will start seeing some posts sporadically popping up on DefensiveCarry pretty soon that begin with:

Hey! I Finally Got My Holster From HBE And It's Absolutely Beautiful!

Some of our members have been much more than just modestly inconvenienced.

I sure do hope that you'll make every attempt to pull through for them.

__________________

Liberty/Tyranny
___________________________
Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp

AnimalKracker

I talked to Eric recently and at that time I informed him that I was willing to let him put my order on the back burner and to work on some one's order that was really in need of a holster. I'll ask if any other members are willing to contact Eric and let him know that they can wait and for him to get to the ones that are in NEED of a holster. I have several pistols that I carry and several holsters for most of them. For some this is their first and only custom holster. Lets help our brothers out. Eric's holsters are some of the best that you will ever come across, let's give the guys that absolutely need the holster 1st priority.

enigmaone

Eric, You seem to be a Honorable man down on your Luck. As has been said, Hang in there Life will get better in God I know it.

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quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Eric Larsen

Well....I just got off of the phone with Gary and he knows of my situation quite extensively now. He said one thing to me "You are either very very lucky or very blessed....DONT SCREW THIS UP!"

Im not going to make anyone any promises.....they seem to create a negative situation that ends up biting me on the arse! But will do my best to get you guys out everything you paid for and actually call you guys so you can ream me in person if that is your stance on this! Personally, I wouldnt blame one of you! And I mean that sincerely.

Im overwhelmed by the support this forum has for me....even when I keep screwing up.....I got divorced a year and a half ago and got very very depressed over it.....screwed me up in a huge way and you guys just said....weve been there and it will get better!

Gary is right......simply put Im extremely blessed.

You guys post whatever you want....good bad or indifferent. Its all fair in my eyes at this point. Tell the world if I called or if I didnt...tell the world I make great holsters or that they suck and you are now using it as an ash tray....

I dont know if HBE will ever be in the black again and right now it doesnt even matter to me. I am not HBE...Its just a name...but Im the guy behind that name and I still take pride in what that means.

God bless and shoot well.

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush

Herknav

Eric,

I don't know you from Adam, but you seem like a sincere guy. I have heard nothing but high praise about your gear. I think you'll find most guys in our community will be more than willing to back you as long as you play straight with them.

If you resolve your backlog and open your production line again, I would seriously consider buying from you.

FWIW.

Mi dos centavos,
Herk

PS--+1 to QKShooter. I'll be waiting to see posts extolling the virtues of Eric and how he treats folks right in spite of circumstances.

AnimalKracker

I just finished a conversation with Eric that confirms everything that I've ever thought about him. Eric is one of the most honorable men that you will meet. Depression is a very insidious disease that strikes you and you never know it until it's too late. It effects the way you think, and the decisions that you make. HA, you say. How do you know so much about this? I've been through it. My son is presently dealing with PTSD and I'm glad to say that things are looking up for him. The point being that you don't get better until you bottom out. I hope this is a road to recovery for Eric, meaning that there is light at the end of the tunnel. People don't seem to mind waiting for several custom makers products from 1- 2 years. I put Eric's products there in the same class, I'll wait.

BruceGibson

Whew! This is a terrible situation all around, and my first instinct is to be sympathetic. But I'm more than a little jaded because I've spent the last 15-years specializing in criminal defense, and the last several months reviewing forum posts on this specific topic, and this particular maker. I don't have leather pending with Mr. Larsen, so I can't say "Show me." As a member of this forum, I will say, "Show them." Your actions, or inactions, reflect directly upon ME, and others like me. And at the moment, I'm not impressed.

I've read stories of flooding, of computer hard-drive crashes, shop moves, voice mail full and unable to take any more, website disappears. Failure to return phone calls, e-mails, private messages. "My daughter has my cell phone." Divorce, which I've been through myself. Shooting oneself in the hand, which I cannot relate to. But the "shooting in the hand" story was initially presented as a falsehood...one wherein an acquaintance was shot in the hand, but ultimately Mr. Larsen admitted it was him, and that it was a true story. The initial presentation was a lie. An untruth. A lie. Is there a delicate, redeeming word for a lie?

It is my hope, my true, sincere, Christian hope, that your son is well, and that your proffer of huge medical bills is sincere--and truthful. But understand, you have an extensive, unusually--actually, unbelievable--history of bad luck. Several posters have expressed concern, and a willingness to believe, forgive, and forget. Don't jerk them around. Get their orders done, or give them their money back.

I've been in the "custom" leather/cowboy gear business for 21-years. I've only recently gotten involved in concealed carry leather, so I cannot, and will not, present myself as an expert on the gear. I do, however, know leather, and I do recognize when someone's blowing smoke up my Rear. And I do not burden my customers with a whole lot of drama. Every customer I've ever had has had the option of an immediate refund. It's SIMPLE.

My intention is not to be unsympathetic, nor do I intend to inflame an apparent--or at least, presented--sad situation. My point is, there are always opportunities to be truthful. To refund a customers prepayment. The chance to return a phone call, e-mail, or private message in a forum such as this. Those things have clearly not been done in this matter. And there are no excuses. Plain and simple. There are no excuses.

The civil inconveniences of bankruptcy are just that. Much of what I've seen can, and quite likely may, rise to the level of criminal. If purchasers...honest folks that have provided you their hard-earned money...file formal complaints, then you will likely, very likely, be charged with crimes. Compound misdemeanors ultimately resulting in felonies.

Based on comments I've seen on this and several other forums, your time is up, Mr. Larsen. I would suggest you do everything you can, day and night, to rectify the situation that you find yourself in. It's antiquated, and old-fashioned, but it's time to just be honest. No more crisis, no more floods. No more gunshots to the hand. No more divine intervention. No more BullCrap. Tell the truth, make it right. Return your phone calls and e-mails, respond to PM's, make refunds.

Believe me...and I say this in all sincerity...if you find yourself prosecuted criminally, then this post will have been among the friendliest of confrontations you've had this year. If a prosecutor decides you've acted criminally, you will experience hell first-hand. The equivalent of a pit bull clamped onto your neck with no hope of release.

And leave God out of it. That's between you and Him.

__________________
"He who is silent is deemed to consent."

www.GibsonGunleather.com